Simpson defends himself at Oxford

May 15, 1996
Web posted at: 7:30 a.m. EDT (1130 GMT)

LONDON (CNN) -- Remember the days when O.J. Simpson was known
for parlaying his prowess as a professional football player
into a successful acting career? Those days were ancient
history to the Oxford Union.

Fifteen-hundred Oxford University students came to the
debating society hall Tuesday to grill him on the murders of
his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend Ron
Goldman. He was acquitted of the murders last year. (893K QuickTime movie)

The students, known for their analytical prowess, were
expected to ask Simpson pointed questions about his highly
publicized trial -- unlike the hosts of the British talk show
"Tonight," panned for asking "candyfloss questions" when
Simpson appeared on their show Monday.

They did not disappoint. Many of the students are from the
United States. Because they got the full media exposure to
the trial, they were familiar with details of the case, and
pressed him for his explanation of forensic evidence
presented in the trial.

Why did Nicole rewrite her will shortly before she was
murdered? "Nicole made a will virtually every time we took a
flight," he answered.

Why did he take the infamous trip in his Bronco? Not to flee
police, he said, but to escape his pain. "I had a tough
week. I lost, next to my mom, my most favorite person on
earth. I just wanted the pain to stop," he said.

How could he come to Oxford and not express shame for beating
his ex-wife? He said he was ashamed, but also accused Nicole
of battery. He implied that such information was never
revealed in the trial because "I have one rule with my
lawyers: We can't do anything to trash Nicole."

Many Oxford students think their university should also be
ashamed for inviting Simpson, who pled no contest to charges
of spousal abuse, to speak in a hall that has in the past
hosted heads of state.

"I don't know what to think, really. This was a good
performance, I mean it was orchestrated and designed to be a
good performance in front of the students," said one. Did he
seem nervous about any particular questions? "No, he's a
very good actor," the student said.

"OK, so he wasn't proven guilty, but he wasn't proven
innocent either," said a female student. "He looked as
though he'd been briefed quite a lot."

"I think he was very convincing. I had my doubts when I went
in ... because he didn't give his account in the trial, but
by and large I was very impressed with what he had to say,
and that firmed my belief that he's innocent," another
student said.

This was Simpson's final appearance for the trip, which was
paid for by Britain's Granada Television. Despite Simpson's
denial that he is considering purchasing property anywhere in
Britain, reports abound that Simpson is considering moving
here to escape constant media attention in the United States.

It was discovered Tuesday that Simpson also faces a
substantial charge for back taxes in the United States. The
Internal Revenue Service issued a notice of a federal tax
lien on Simpson's Brentwood mansion last week for a 1994
income tax bill for more than $685,000. He was being tried
for the double murder at the time.

And depositions in the wrongful death civil suit filed
against Simpson by the parents of Nicole Brown and Ron
Goldman continued. Simpson's friend and attorney Robert
Kardashian continued his deposition Tuesday in the trial. He
was deposed for the first time May 3, at which time he
repeatedly invoked his attorney-client privilege to avoid
answering questions.